Bobby Hoffman held on to the KOTC Heavyweight Title on Sunday night against Paul Buentello, to resounding chants by the crowd, screaming "bull****" from ringside to the bleachers. It was announced as a split decision, however it was officially unanimous. With one judge, Raul Porrata, scoring all three rounds for the Champion.

The bout opened with an initial exchange and Hoffman securing a double leg. From the half-guard and guard, Hoffman attempted any strike he could muster against Buentello who avoided being hit clean. Working back to his feet, the challenger began to pepper the Champion, but failed to get anything going. In a rather uneventful round, the masses were screaming for "Bobby", as Hoffman was able to control Buentello, but failed to do any damage.

The second round opened with Buentello cracking Hoffman as he began to unload a series of head hunting right hands and that would have dropped most any other fighter. Hoffman hanging on for dear life, clinched only to receive a barrage of right hooks to the body and eating a number of uppercuts. Half way through the round, Hoffman was battered and bloody. In true Rocky-esque fashion, the tide was turning. The crowd was switching their allegiance as shouts for "Paul" began to overwhelm the dwindling verbal Hoffman support. The "oohhs" and "ahhhs" rang out as Buentello proved Hoffman had an iron jaw as his superior boxing ability staggered the Champ. There was no question Hoffman was in trouble from bell to bell in the 2nd. In Nevada, this could have been a 10-8 round for Buentello. In Soboba, it was evidently Bobby's round according to judge Raul Porrata.

It was clearly questionable whether Hoffman would be able to answer the bell for round three. Buentello was visibly tired as well, but both met in the center of the ring for the third and lackluster final round. Buentello was trying to get off more heavy shots as Hoffman tried to counter then close the distance. Hoffman went for the takedown, and armbar when Buentello attempted to take the fight back to the feet. They scrambled after Buentello escaped and the fight went back up stairs. Hoffman again tried for a takedown, but was stuffed and ended up on his back. At this point, Buentello was too gassed to take acdantage of the situation. Neither man imposed their will on the ground with Buentello getting the better of the fight on the stand up. The mob was all "Buentello" as the final bell rang out. Hoffman looked dazed, as the challenger biggest problem was pulling the handcuffs off the lungs. Buentello momentarily revitalized himself, motioning for the belt around his waste.

At the conclusion of the fight, MMARR, using a 10-point must system (like KOTC uses in NV), gave round 1 to Hoffman for controlling the action, 10-9. Round two was all Buentello as he handed out a severe beating to the Champ, 10-8. Round three, it was very close, but a slight edge would have to go to Buentello for doing more damage. At worst, it could have been an even round. The alternate, confusing 30 point system of judging KOTC uses on the Indian Reservation could negate an entire round of beating by one fighter if one takedown is secured by the other. What it all really came down to was damage done, and Hoffman clearly got the worse of it. At no time was Buentello ever in trouble when many were left in amazement that Hoffman was still standing after the second round.

The announcer read the decision in favor of the Champion. Buentello dropped to the canvas, pounding the mat as the mob screamed foul. No doubt, it was a close fight, save for round 2 in which Hoffman was barely able to walk away from. But if the judges couldn't see that round for Buentello, there was no way he could have any hope for winning a close round three.

Hoffman remained in his dressing room, following the fight, refusing medical attention, despite a strong urge from present medical staff to seek help.

This fight needs to happen again.

In other action, Joe Stevenson put on a striking clinic against Kiko from Millenia Jiu Jitsu with a halt being called to the bout at 4:12 in the first round from corner stoppage.

The only thing stranger on this night than Raul Porrata's scorecard was the "David vs. Goliath" match between 215 lb Kevin Alliva and 125 lb Shawn Ramage. This fight began as a bet between Terry Tribble**** and the much heavier fighter who stated that no one under 155 lbs could take him in the cage. Reality hit him at 58 seconds into the first round when the freakshow ended as Ramage tapped Avilla out with a rear naked choke. Avilla lost money on the match.